Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

Bad Sister by Charise Mericle Harper

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An interesting story of siblings and how a younger brother showed his older sister a few things. And that is what you are supposed to get from Bad Sister by Charise Mericle Harper. What I got was another poor, put-upon big sister, getting the blame for having an annoying, bratty, spoiled younger sibling (can you guess which one I am with me and my sister?) Seriously though, both Harper and the world see Charise (the character) as “in the wrong” (and she even goes as […]

Father and son doing art

Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son by John Parra

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Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son by John Parra is a neat book. I was not sure what to expect, but it was not what I got. I really liked this book. It is sentimental and inspiring. And has lovely illustrations that are fun, cozy, and active. Parra’s story is based on his growing up in California and helping his father in his landscaping business. Parra’s young boy of the story observes the things around him. He notices people his […]

See if you like this book

See You Someday Soon by Pat Zietlow Miller

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In See You Someday Soon a child misses someone who is very far away from them. The prose poetry of the text talks about the feels, thoughts, and questions they have. They tell of ways that they could go and visit that person (rocket ship, letter, plane, or jet pack).  Pat Zietlow Miller has a thoughtful, somber, and still hopeful tone to the text. The story is simple but has a lot going on with it.  While there is not a lot of traditional action, […]

I need to make friends with the author to get updates on this new series

Realm of the Blue Mist (The Rema Chronicles, #1) by Amy Kim Kibuishi

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Realm of the Blue Mist (The Rema Chronicles, #1) is a familiar fantasy, but this first in a series has new twists and turns to the action we all know and love when it comes to magical tales. There are the warring nations, an “Us vs. Them” (The “Good Guys” vs. The “Bad Guys”), magic, little romance (in a most chaste manner, the most exciting thing is they hold hands!) and a bit of action. There is mystery, Godfathers in their late 30s who look […]

We’re all Misfits

Misfit in Love (Saints and Misfits) by S.K. Ali

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Janna Yusuf is a relatable young girl in Misfit in Love (Saints and Misfits book two) by S.K. Ali.  She is dealing with the ins and outs of love, friendship, change and finding a swimsuit that fits. And, oh yeah, she is Muslim, too. This piece of the puzzle that is Janna is a large part of her life, but regardless anyone who was/is almost 18 can relate to her boy troubles, big and little brothers’ woes, parents changing (or at least how we start […]

We’re not sleeping with the fishes, but visiting the turtles

Gilbert #4: The Island of the Orange Turtles by Art Baltazar

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First, you should read the first three books in the series, as it will answer a few “who are you” questions in Gilbert #4: The Island of the Orange Turtles by Art Baltazar. And second, this book is way on the “little kid silly side” and adults may not appreciate the “slap sticky somewhat less than intelligent antics.” This story is cute, but not overly detailed. Gilbert and friends visit Sherbet’s island, where they meet all his siblings and new baby brother Bix (Because It […]



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